BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif., July 25 (High Desert News Online) — Friends of Big Bear Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust said they have raised $10.5 million to buy Moon Camp, a more than 62-acre property on the north shore of Big Bear Lake in California, after mounting a campaign to block a planned housing and marina project near Jackie and Shadow’s bald eagle nest.
The fundraising total is enough to meet the groups’ $10 million target and move the land purchase forward. Campaign materials had set a July 31 deadline to secure the money.
What is Moon Camp?
Moon Camp is a stretch of private land near Fawnskin, less than a mile from the nest used by Jackie and Shadow, the well-known bald eagles living in Big Bear Valley. The property sits in an area described by the groups as an ecological corridor and habitat for bald eagles, San Bernardino flying squirrels, rare native plants, waterfowl and other wildlife.
Before Jackie and Shadow established their nest nearby, campaign statements said Moon Camp was used by an estimated 25 to 30 visiting bald eagles each year.
Why did the land become a target for conservation?
The property has been tied to a long-running development fight. Campaign materials and local project records described a proposal for about 50 custom homes, or more than 50 homes, along with a 55-slip marina.
Friends of Big Bear Valley has said the land should be protected in perpetuity. The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust has described the goal as permanent conservation, with some campaign materials saying the property could later transfer to the U.S. Forest Service.
How did the fundraising work?
Friends of Big Bear Valley made a public appeal in February and spent the following months trying to close the gap. In May, the campaign said it had raised more than $2.5 million. By mid-June, it said the total had climbed to more than $3.3 million.
On July 24, the group said donations had reached $10.5 million, including a gift of more than $5.5 million from Anna and Greg Brockman. That pushed the campaign past its goal and allowed the purchase effort to continue.
Why has the site drawn attention for so long?
The dispute stretches back nearly 25 years. Coverage and campaign history trace the fight to 2001 or 2002, when the development plans first became public. Since then, supporters of conservation have argued that the land should remain open space because of its value to wildlife and the Big Bear Lake shoreline.
The campaign also points to changing eagle numbers around the lake. One Friends of Big Bear Valley representative said there used to be 20 to 35 visiting bald eagles at Big Bear Lake in winter, while now there are six to 10 at best.
What happens next?
The fundraising milestone does not by itself tell the whole story of the real-estate deal. The groups have said they need the money to complete the purchase within the time allowed by the agreement tied to the property.
For now, the important point is simple: the land trust and conservation groups say they have raised enough to try to keep Moon Camp from becoming a housing and marina development, and to preserve the area next to one of California’s most watched bald eagle nests.
